JEFFERSON TWP — A close game has become the norm whenever Knoch and Burrell get together.

Why should Tuesday's game be any different?

Knoch tied the game in regulation when Dakota Bruggeman sank a basket with five seconds left, but Burrell used a 6-0 run in overtime — highlighted by a tie-breaking 3-pointer by Pete Spagnolo — to help the Bucs post a 56-52 victory in Section 1-AAA boys basketball action.

“We were expecting a war,” Burrell coach Rob Neiderberger said. “It was one point the last time we played (a 54-53 Knoch win Jan. 14) and it was one point when we played in the summer.

“I thought we finished better. That first game, I thought we had chances. That's been the story of our season. Tonight, I felt we finished,” he added.

“I expected our guys to come out a little better prepared,” Knoch coach Josh Shoop said. “I was disappointed with our team's mental effort.”

Bruggeman tied the contest and it appeared Austin Miller forced a turnover under the Knoch basket on the Bucs' inbounds pass, but Burrell had called for a timeout.

After the Knights (10-11, 8-5) tipped the ball away, the Bucs (10-10, 4-9) set up for another shot, a three-quarter length heave by Lehman that hit the backboard.

In overtime, the teams exchanged free throws before Phil Kletzli gave the Knights their last lead of the Knight with 2:03 left.

Two free throws by Matt Hess tied the game, then Spagnolo drained a 3-pointer and Jake Prefling added a free throw to open up a 49-45 Burrell advantage with 47 seconds left.

“Pete's been doing it all year,” Neiderberger said. “That's why, when the game is on the line at the end, he's the one with the ball in his hand.”

Miller's layup made it a two-point game, but White followed with a score to make it a two-possession lead.

“Austin's given us good minutes every game,” Shoop said. “He's continued to do a nice job. He absorbs things well. You feel comfortable when he's out there. He made some great passes.”

Miller added a free throw, but Hess connected on a 3-point play for a 54-48 lead with 10 seconds to play to seal the game.

“Not to take anything away from Burrell, they played extremely hard and are a great team, but we are our own worst enemy,” Shoop said. “We have guys who I have to tell, ‘We have to show up against Burrell.' We sneaked one away last time.”

The Knights have already secured a WPIAL playoff berth, but Shoop was hoping his team could continue some momentum. Now, that will have to happen in the regular-season finale at Mars Friday.

“I hope we get refocused,” Shoop said. “Basketball should be fun. If you work hard and prepare, it is. If we do that the next two days, we'll be all right. We have the talent. We just don't always put it together out there.

“That's disappointing because it's right there in front of them,” Shoop added.

BURRELL 56Pete Spagnolo 4 2-7 13, Jake Prefling 2 1-2 6, Kyle Legters 0 0-0 0, Matt Lehman 1 1-3 3, Alex White 3 4-6 10, Kyle Saylor 2 0-1 4, Ryan Puchak 2 1-2 5, Matt Hess 4 7-8 15.

Totals: 18 16-29 56.

KNOCH 52Austin Miller 5 3-6 14, Jack Boros 0 0-0 0, Alex Strezeski 0 0-0 0, Dakota Bruggeman 4 1-3 9, Tavita Lio 2 8-12 13, Marc Vaughan 2 4-6 8, Mike Schenck 0 0-0 0, Andy Tuzikow 0 0-0 0, Phil Kletzli 4 0-0 8.

Totals: 17 16-27 52.

Burrell 14 10 10 8 14—56Knoch 6 13 14 9 10—523-point goals: Burrell 4 (Spagnolo 3, Prefling); Knoch 2 (Miller, Lio).

JV Score: Knoch, 39-32

Friday: Knoch at Mars